Glasgow Warriors | Warriors in search for a new home
Share

Next article
Previous article
Got an opinion?
Discuss this article in the comments section or register with the glasgowwarriors.com forum.

Search this site

March 16, 2007

Warriors in search for a new home

Posted by Assistant Editor on March 16, 2007 09:36 PM | 15 comments | Print | E-mail author

Would you travel to Stirling?
The Glasgow Warriors could be poised to relocate outside the city which bears their name.

As reported in The Herald, the Scottish Rugby Union have confirmed that talks are ongoing with several "different stadium locations", including Forthbank, the home of Stirling Albion football club, as the governing body strives to find a replacement venue for the Warriors' current home, Hughenden, where redevelopments are scheduled.

The union are continuing with their strategic review of the three pro teams, and refused to deny the Border Reivers will be scrapped when their findings are announced next month.

While Glasgow's short-term future seems assured, the squad, officials and supporters may have to grow accustomed to a base at Forthbank, Bridgehaugh - home of Stirling County - or Broadwood in Cumbernauld, despite the SRU's admission they would prefer the team to remain based in Glasgow.

A spokeswoman for Stirling Albion told The Herald yesterday rugby officials had visited the club on Thursday and viewed its facilities and playing area - the ground has a 3808 capacity, with seating for 2508, which would meet the requirements of the pro side in accommodating crowds quite comfortably.

Meanwhile, the SRU's Dee McIntosh revealed that the prospect of the Warriors leaving Glasgow was a serious option. "We have been in contact with different stadium locations in recent months and Forthbank is simply one of them under consideration," she said. "This is essential and simply makes common sense. We would welcome the Warriors remaining at Hughenden, but ultimately, this is out of our control, and we have to look at all the alternatives."

The SRU's cause has hardly been assisted by the uncertainty surrounding the future or otherwise of their professional organisations and, although Glasgow has several rugby grounds which might provide suitable domiciles for Sean Lineen's side, the majority of the available options fail on several criteria.

New Anniesland, the premises used by Glasgow Hawks, is located within the grounds of a school, while traffic access or lack of parking would seem to rule out such as Dumbreck and Braidholm, on the south side of Glasgow.

Burnbrae, home to West of Scotland, emerged as one of the few viable options. Until a year ago, it looked probable that a modernised Scotstoun Stadium would fit the bill, but negotiations broke down between the SRU and the city council.

In addition, the mood among Warriors supporters will scarcely be lifted by the news that their long-term business manager, Diane Murphy, has resigned from her post after more than seven years. Such service leaves her almost deserving a clock presentation, given the astonishing rate in turnover of staff amid Scottish rugby's transition to the demands of professionalism.

Diane said: "The time is right for me to progress my career", and confirmed that she is handing over the reins on March 30 to Lesley Cuthbert, the PA to the SRU's chief executive, Gordon McKie, in a move which does not exactly suggest greater autonomy from the Murrayfield regime for the Glaswegians.

As for the survival of the Borders, gloomy whispers have been sweeping the area as to the organisation's imminent demise and McIntosh was unable to offer any reassurance with the words: "The review of pro team rugby is very much still ongoing, and the Borders are simply one part of that process.

"We accept that it is inevitable that rumours will persist until the review is concluded shortly."

It appears that a fresh spate of internecine warfare may be about to break out once the dust has settled on the Six Nations championship.

Posted by hugh on March 16, 2007 10:04 PM | Reply to this comment

That will please Kevin Ferrie

Posted by Wilma on March 17, 2007 12:18 AM | Reply to this comment

I thought moving to Stirling had been kicked into touch the last time it was raised. Haven't they considered that it's not so much that some of us might be UNWILLING to travel to Stirling but more that we CAN'T?!! I have to go to Hughenden straight from work as it is - I have NO chance of getting to Stirling. I can't be the only one!

Posted by Hannah on March 17, 2007 11:46 AM | Reply to this comment

they are always talking about not having enough fans so they want to move it out there? I cant get out there every FRiday night? Plus the players have said that they prefer having the fans beside the pitch! Its utter rubbish. If they are ditching the Borders then surely we they can give Glasgow the money to stay where we are!

Posted by vicki on March 17, 2007 06:16 PM | Reply to this comment

If Hughenden is sold for redevelopment, Glasgow have no choice but to find somewhere else to play. And if there is nowhere suitable in the Glasgow area, then there may be no choice. Another worrying and depressing end to the season looms!

Posted by Ed on March 19, 2007 12:54 AM | Reply to this comment

Who says the SRU are ditching the Borders?

Posted by luckyrugger on March 17, 2007 08:21 PM | Reply to this comment

Yeah, going to the rugby would become an occassional event. Kiss goodbye to season ticket sales.

Posted by hugh on March 18, 2007 08:27 AM | Reply to this comment

Cappielow Park ?

Posted by Columbo on March 18, 2007 11:14 AM | Reply to this comment

Does anyone think that by going to Forthbank, that the attendances will increase? I do not think so. Maybe for the first game the Central Scotland people will come out to support, but after that the numbers will not attend.

What ever happened to the temporary stands use at the Under 21 World Cup? Could they not be utilised at a Club Ground, after all it is not that there are thousands attending. Bet the Stands are in a storage area somewhere!!!

Not an easy decision, however have to start looking forward. How about a ground for the pro team which is able to be used by the Glasgow Age Group teams, instaed of relying on Clubs to facilitate them all?

Posted by Parksygal10 on March 18, 2007 03:57 PM | Reply to this comment

I think Broadwood would be a good choice, it is very accessable to everyone as there is a train station 5 minutes away and bus routes are very good for it. Stirling would be too confusing to get to plus it is not within the glasgow area.

Posted by Parksygal10 on March 18, 2007 03:58 PM | Reply to this comment

I think Broadwood would be a good choice, it is very accessable to everyone as there is a train station 5 minutes away and bus routes are very good for it. Stirling would be too confusing to get to plus it is not within the glasgow area.

Posted by jtc88 on March 18, 2007 04:17 PM | Reply to this comment

Keep the Warriors in Glasgow. Moving north to either Stirling or Cumbernauld will, in my view, drive people away from the game.

Posted by Martin on March 18, 2007 04:31 PM | Reply to this comment

If the Warriors move very much out of Glasgow then the city can kiss goodbye to pro rugby union. If you cant get decent attendances in a city of 650,000 you are not going to get it in a town/city of 40,000.

Posted by gnasher on March 20, 2007 09:07 AM | Reply to this comment

You can say goodbye to our 5 season tickets if the team moves to Stirling. The proposition beggars belief. Glasgow City Centre has a catchment population of circa 2 million within about 15 miles radius. Nowhere else in Scotland offers that. According to the attendance figures we struggle to get 2,500 at most games. Temproray stands, can surely be provided at Burnbrae or Old Anniesland.

Posted by Phall on March 21, 2007 05:07 PM | Reply to this comment

No room at west. the railway side is too narrow.

As for OA, the putting up of temp stands would get in the way of school activities and interfere with the cricket season.

Posted by gnasher on March 21, 2007 06:39 PM | Reply to this comment

My cup runneth over! I suppose Scotstoun is out of the question. Not sure what sort of capacity that has or what could be done, or whether SRU have blown that one for all time.

Add a comment to this article

If you're replying to an existing comment, please use the 'Reply to this comment' link above the entry. This will display the comments in a way which is far easier for other readers to follow.